Alex Banayan

Alex Banayan

Alex Banayan on Bloomberg TV in June 2012.
Born Alex Banayan
August 10, 1992
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Nationality American
Ethnicity Iranian
Occupation Author at Crown (Random House, Inc.)
Venture Capitalist, Alsop Louie Partners
Television The Price Is Right
Website
http://alexbanayan.com/

Alex Banayan[1] (born August 10, 1992) is an American venture associate for San Francisco-based venture capital firm Alsop Louie Partners and the author of an upcoming business book being published by the Crown Publishing Group, the largest subsidiary of Random House. Banayan is the youngest business author signed in Crown's 80 year history.[2] Fortune Magazine reported that Alex Banayan is the world's youngest venture capitalist [3] and Forbes Magazine named him to their "30 Under 30" list.[4]


Business

Alex Banayan's break in the venture capital world began when he met an associate at Alsop Louie Partners. While having lunch together, Banayan was asked if he would consider working with the firm.[5] Banayan then met with the firm's founding partner Stewart Alsop II and was asked on the spot if he could go to San Francisco to meet the rest of the firm. In a single day, Banayan attended a meeting with the firm, met the partners and attended a board of directors meeting.[6][7]

Business Insider named Banayan to their "30 AND UNDER: Rising Stars in Silicon Valley" list.[8]

Writing

In December 2012 the technology news website PandoDaily broke the news that Alex Banayan is the youngest business author ever signed to the Crown Publishing Group.[2] Banayan's book deal with Crown was first announced on PublishersMarketplace.com on its October 3, 2012, edition.

The origin of the book concept began when Banayan was a college freshman in 2010. Although he began his university studies as a pre-med student, Banayan couldn't focus on his science text books because his mind kept wondering how some of the world's most successful people launched their careers. Banayan, who assumed there must be a book on this topic, began searching for answers in biographies, business, and careers books, and he reportedly had 120 books stacked in his freshman year dorm room.

In an article in TechCrunch, Banayan explained that, "After months of searching for that ideal book that specifically focused on what little things the world’s most successful people did to propel their careers, I was left empty handed... If no one else was going to write the book I wanted to read, I would write it myself."[2]

Six-time world champion boxer Sugar Ray Leonard has stated that, "Banayan’s book will change people’s lives. Never before has there been a collaboration, in this format, of some of the world’s most successful people. This is exactly what the new generation needs." [2]

Alex Banayan is also a contributor to TechCrunch,[9] FastCompany,[10] and The Washington Post.[11]

The Price is Right

During his freshman years, Banayan won more than $30,000 worth of prizes on the television show The Price is Right. Banayan won a five-day trip to Florida including a zero gravity flight, a VIP trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain, a billiard table and an 18-foot sailboat on the television show's Monday episode. Banayan states that he did not even know how to play the game and had to ask the audience and the host, Drew Carey, how to play.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Linkner, Josh (2012). "The Tale of Two Venture Capitalists". Forbes Web Site. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Meet America’s youngest venture capitalist, Alex Banayan". PandoDaily.com. 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
  3. ↑ Cendrowski, Scott (June 13, 2013). "Fortune Magazine: "Introducing: The kid VC"". CNN. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  4. ↑ Konrad, Alex (January 5, 2015). "Forbes Magazine: "2015 303 Under 303"". Forbes. Retrieved Jan 15, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Tales of A Young Venture Capitalist Too Young To Drink". Killerstartups.com. 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Q & A: A Teenage Venture Capitalist". Businessweek.com. 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  7. ↑ "20 life-changing realizations from the world’s youngest VC". Venturebeat.com. 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  8. ↑ "30 and Under: Rising Stars In Silicon Valley Who Find Hot Startup Deals And Invest Millions". Business Insider. May 14, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  9. ↑ Banayan, Alex (June 10, 2012). "How I Became A 19 Year Old Associate VC". TechCrunch.com. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  10. ↑ Banayan, Alex (December 4, 2013). "7 CRITICAL MISTAKES YOU'RE (ALMOST CERTAINLY) MAKING ON SOCIAL MEDIA". FastCompany.com. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  11. ↑ "The 5 traits of radically successful people". WashingtonPost.com. June 15, 2012.
  12. ↑ "USC student is big winner on game show". Dailytrojan.com. 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.

External links